Lucian

Lucianus of Samosata (c. 120 - 180 AD) was among the greatest of Roman satirists, but also wrote poems, rhetoric and biographies. He is best known though for his 'Dialogues' which give a satirical approach to Roman mythology.

Other works were also particularly influential including 'The True History, which shaped later writers such as Rabelais and Swift. Another work, 'The Passing of Peregrinus' is one of the earliest surviving works depicting pagan attitudes towards Christians.